The dismissal bell at Kirigakure Ninja Academy sounded as unpleasant as it did every other day, but the children loved it.
Momochi Zabuza leaned in the shadow cast by the outer corridor wall, Kubikiribōchō planted on the ground. He had stood there for an entire class. Through the window, he watched the Chunin at the podium stammer through an explanation of how to protect one's companions, rather than how to slit their throats with a kunai. In those children's eyes shone a light he had never possessed.
He had stood there for so long that even he found it absurd. He should have left to deal with the lurking undercurrents, not remained here.
Just as he turned around, a group of young ninja who had rushed out of the classroom spotted him. Instead of screaming and scattering as usual, they swarmed around him.
"It's Kubikiribōchō!" a boy cried excitedly, staring at the massive sword nearly as tall as he was.
"It's Zabuza!" Another girl squeezed to the front, looking up at him with worship in her eyes. "My father told me that you and Chainsaw Lord ended the Blood Mist together!"
Zabuza froze. Looking down at those young faces, his throat went dry. He stood awkwardly in the corridor like a student being punished.
"You're a hero!" the children clamored all at once. "We'll be as strong as you someday!"
A hero?
Zabuza clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He remembered the "classmates" who had died beneath his blade.
"I'm not," he said, his voice rough as sandpaper.
"But..." The children were clearly dissatisfied with that answer.
"At least, not yet."
He gently parted the crowd and strode away. Behind him, the children were still excitedly discussing the legend of the Chainsaw Demon.
***
The cargo ship rose